[ OPEN ] ; Network: Chainsawd; Video; Story Time;

[fiachdubh]

[ The video opens to Ronan, sitting in a high-backed chair. He makes a motion towards the camera, and the shot changes to an aerial view of what looks very much like a library, books to the rafters, vines and tree branches gently curling around shelf upon shelf. The light is dusty, but natural. Chainsawd swoops back down, settling once more in front of Ronan, filming him.

It's obvious he's not alone - there's a shoulder against his, and he's leaning against whoever is sitting next to him in what seems like obvious habit of sharing space. On his lap, Ronan has a large volume open, the pages yellowed and crinkly with age. He doesn't smile as he looks at the camera, but he looks sort of relaxed.

Without much introduction, Ronan looks down, and starts reading, his voice nuanced; he has the tone and rhythm of someone used to telling stories. ]

Now when Sarpedon saw his comrades, men who wore ungirdled tunics, being overcome by Patroclus, son of Menoetius, he rebuked the Lycians, saying, "Shame on you, where are you flying to? Show your mettle;
I will myself meet this man in fight and learn who it is that is so masterful; he has done us much hurt, and has stretched many a brave man upon the ground."

He sprang from his chariot as he spoke, and Patroclus, when he saw this, leaped on to the ground also. The two then rushed at one another with loud cries like eagle-beaked crook-taloned vultures that scream and tear at one another in some high mountain fastness.

The son of scheming Saturn looked down upon them in pity and said to Juno who was his wife and sister, "Alas, that it should be the lot of Sarpedon whom I love so dearly to perish by the hand of Patroclus. I am in two minds whether to catch him up out of the fight and set him down safe and sound in the fertile land of Lycia, or to let him now fall by the hand of the son of Menoetius."

[ He took his time, reading. It was a book he loved, after all - and he always wanted to give it the recognition it deserved. On screen, Adam's face was visible, now, as he leaned closer to read, too, his chin almost hooked on Ronan's shoulder. Sometimes, you could see him glance fondly at Ronan. ]

And Juno answered, "Most dread son of Saturn, what is this that you are saying? Would you snatch a mortal man, whose doom has long been fated, out of the jaws of death? Do as you will, but we shall not all of us be of your mind. I say further, and lay my saying to your heart, that if you send Sarpedon safely to his own home, some other of the gods will be also wanting to escort his son out of battle, for there are many sons of gods fighting round the city of Troy, and you will make every one jealous. If, however, you are fond of him and pity him, let him indeed fall by the hand of Patroclus, but as soon as the life is gone out of him, send Death and sweet Sleep to bear him off the field and take him to the broad lands of Lycia, where his brothers and his kinsmen will bury him with mound and pillar, in due honor to the dead."

The sire of gods and men assented, but he shed a rain of blood upon the earth in honor of his son whom Patroclus was about to kill on the rich plain of Troy far from his home.

[ Ronan finally looked up, an eyebrow raised at the camera. ]

Now, children, I know my dulcet tones have probably lulled you to sleep with this epic tale of heroism, but who can tell me - what's this book I'm reading from?

Comments

[vexy]

[ He chuckled tiredly at the question and managed to peek one of his eyes open to look at the screen. ] Nah, I've read fifty shades too. [ He could see that judgey look on the handsome fellow's face, so he may as well play it up stupid despite the fact that was very well read. ]

Y'know, only the classic masterpieces for me.

[fiachdubh]

[ It seemed obvious to Ronan that this guy was full of shit, but if he wanted to play dumb, Ronan wasn't going to stop him. ]

Oh, you must be an absolute delight at parties. [ He doesn't sound aggressive as he speaks, keeping his tone sort of neutral to mildly amused, an eyebrow raised.

Next to him, there's a part of Adam showing on the video. He's reading a book, himself, using Ronan's shoulder as something to lean against. ]

Sorry that 50 shades even exists where you're from, thought it was exclusive to my shitty homeworld.

[vexy]

What makes ya think we're from a different homeworld? Though that's kind of a geeky way of putting it, isn't it? "Homeworld".

[ The last part was mumbled more than said, while he rubbed the side of his face against the couch cushion to get more comfortable. ]

I think I missed the last party they threw here. Should probably hit the next one, but I don't have a thing to wear...

[fiachdubh]

I don't know. Kinda starting to assume everyone is from different places. [ But his friends, that is. And his shitty brother.

Man, if only the good one had gone through instead. ]

You didn't miss that much. [ Yes, Ronan was still annoyed that he and Adam were interrupted to be told to go to the party. He was still mad at Chainsawd about it. ]

Also, pretty sure this place can get you any clothes you want. Now if you want to walk around naked, that's your prerogative.

[vexy]

None of the clothes I want are even remotely practical in this climate. As much as I would die for fashion, I wouldn't do it literally.

[ Wearing heels while running from a massive beast? No thank you. ]

Naked wouldn't be a bad idea if not for all the rocks and bugs. What are you wearing then?

[fiachdubh]

[ Ronan raises an eyebrow. ]

One, you could open your eyes and see what I'm wearing, and two, why does it even matter?

[ He's wearing his usual attire - sleeveless tank top, and dark wash jeans. Absolutely Ronan standard - his tattoo is peeking out around his shoulder and up his neck. Like armor. ]

[vexy]

Just curious.

[ Note: he still doesn't open his eyes. ]

Everybody has been giving me shit for wearing flip-flops so I was wondering what the apparent popular footwear was around here.

[fiachdubh]

I don't make the popular choice.

[ Never have. ]

So I'm probably a bad choice. But if it matters, I'm wearing boots.

[ Exactly the same one he'd wear back home. He likes to use his imagination and creativity in other venues than his clothing. ]

[vexy]

Oh, believe me I could tell that right off what with your reading of something so ancient that it was better left in the dusty shelves of some library that'd been burned down centuries ago. [ Gee Vex, tell us how you really feel about it. ]

Boots are alright, I came here wearing boots, but they attracted sand like a magnet. Could never seem to get all of it out of 'em, so I gave up. Maybe I ought to steal new ones and just... never wear 'em on the beach. What a pain. [ He's a tad whiny. ]

[fiachdubh]

There is no writing so ancient it should be burned. That's fucking backward. [ Ronan's voice is sharp and dangerous when he talks - the mere idea makes him angry. Just about anything makes him angry, of course, but destroying knowledge is the most stupid thing humanity can ever do, and it does it way too often. ]

Jesus fucking Christ if you're on the beach why the fuck would you wear shoes at all? Or do you live to make your own existence a pain?

[ He would not be the first one, after all. ]

[vexy]

Plenty has been burned. Now all of it has been I guess, since Destiny 'n all. Though I guess this place saved a bunch. I wonder if they saved fifty shades... now there's a book worth burning.

[ Either he didn't notice the sharpness in Ronan's tone or it didn't bother him, the latter implying that he was used to people getting irritated with him. ]

That's why I've been wearing the flippies! Keeps the broken shells off the bottoms of my feet. But what you said is definitely a good question: Do I live to make my existence a pain? Sounds like something I can't answer without a few shots of whiskey.

Do you drink?

[fiachdubh]

It's not because it has been burned that it's right. [ Jesus Christ. It's this kind of nonchalance that reminds Ronan why he doesn't really like people, most of the time.

And then the question makes him scoff. Oh, does he drink. ]

Yeah, I drink. [ He almost says, I don't know anyone who doesn't, but it's a blatant lie, and Ronan doesn't lie. ] Why?

[vexy]

Not right?

[ Vex chuckled slightly at the thought that he was talking with someone who had a powerful set of morals about books- it seemed particularly ridiculous. ]

Of all the things to twist your knickers over. And I was asking because it's easier to talk over drinks, yeah?

[fiachdubh]

[ Ronan doesn't answer, letting his face fall back into a mask of indifference.

It's not just books. Everything. Ronan likes to think his morals are loose, but he also likes to fool himself about some things.

And then... He has to raise an eyebrow. ]

Are you asking me out?

[vexy]

On a date? No.

[ A few months ago, pre-apocalypse he would have teased and said 'yes', but he lost his sense of humor for that now. ]

Just two blokes getting to know each other in this hellhole.

[fiachdubh]

[ The only thing Ronan can think is, but why. ]

I know enough people.

[vexy]

Don't we all. But if you think it pays to be antisocial here, no skin off my nose.

[fiachdubh]

The fuck should I care about what it pays?

[ He's not even being antisocial. He's fucking posted to the whole network, and he's talking to people left, right, and center. If that's being antisocial, then nobody wants to meet him when he's alone in the Barns. ]

Not wanting to go for a drink with a complete stranger that could be a goddamn psycho for all I know is not being antisocial. It's being smart.

[vexy]

Uh huh, whatever you say. Do I smell poultry?

But I don't blame ya, sweetheart. I'm clearly fearsome. [ Laying face-down in the couch, looking as though he was a second from falling back asleep. He wasn't even trying to be serious. ]

[fiachdubh]

[ Ronan's jaw clenches at the pet name and the challenge, hating how easily he's led into responding. He has no interest in whatever this guy wants from him, but he's also never been good at backing down. ]

Are you trying to taunt me into going for a drink with you?

[ He lets his features fall back into impassivity, even though he's growing more and more confused by this conversation. ]

You should go back to bed, old man. You're not making a fucking lick of sense.

[vexy]

You're saying something but all I hear is bok bok bok becaw!

[ He had been on his way to napping but after Ronan called him 'old man' his temper flared. ]

Sorry darling, I don't speak your FOWL language.

[ get it??? Fowl? Instead of foul? He thinks he's funny. ]

[fiachdubh]

[ That earns him a pointed, raised eyebrow. The pet names are making him want to, more and more, ram his fist into the guy's face. He doesn't even like it when Parrish uses them. The only person he tolerated them from were his mother, when she was still alive.

It's just a stark reminder that she isn't. Maybe if he meets up with this dude, he can scratch the itch and actually punch him. Might feel good. ]

What do you want from me?

[vexy]

I wanted a drink and a chat, dear. Now? Eh.

[ He shrugged, not caring one way or the other because he didn't have enough energy to be his fully obnoxious self. ]

Your head in the mud might be nice.

[fiachdubh]

Fucking Christ.

[ Ronan, for all he's trying, still can't quite get his head wrapped around why the guy would even want to go for a drink with him. Did he make it seem like he wanted to go out with strangers through this network share?

He's going to have to be more careful in the future, apparently. ]

Have a nice fucking life.

[ And with that, he hangs up, because he's had enough. ]